January 4, 2026

Dear Friends, This is the Fourth of July weekend but let me begin by acknowledging this is the Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Our Gospel this weekend I am sure is very familiar to most of us. It is from Matthew, Chapter 11. “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Many of us can identify with this proclamation from Jesus. There is so much going on in our personal lives, our nation, and our world. It may be summer, a time to “relax”, “slow down”, and “enjoy” a new season. But, for many it isn’t all sunshine. A friend shared the following prayer with me, and I would like to pass it along to those of you who might benefit from it. An Anxious Person’s Prayer O Holy Spirit, give me stillness of soul in you. Calm the turmoil within, with the gentleness of your peace. Quiet the anxiety within, with deep trust in you. Heal the wounds of sin within, with the joy of your forgiveness. Strengthen the faith within, with the awareness of your presence. Confirm the hope within, with the knowledge of your strength. Give fullness to the love within, with an outpouring of your love. O Holy Spirit, be to me a source of light, strength, and courage so that I may hear your call ever more clearly and follow you more generously. William Browning, CP This Fourth of July, acknowledging 250 years of our nation, I thought these following prayers are appropriate. This a prayer from the Roman Missal: Father of all nations and ages, We recall the day when our country claimed its place among the family of nations; for what has been achieved we give you thanks, for the work that still remains we ask your help, and as you have called us from many peoples to be one nation, grant that, under your providence, our country may share your blessings with all the peoples of the earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN. A prayer from the Notre Dame Sisters of Omaha, Nebraska: Loving God, We greet this Fourth of July with grateful hearts as we call to mind the vision of freedom and justice for all upon which our country was built. We give thanks for those who imagined this vision. We are grateful to those who continue advocating for and pursuing a land of peace, liberty, and equity for all. We realize it is still being created, however, as we witness the divisions, prejudices and injustices that plague us. May we hold fast to the dream and vision of unity within our country. May we dedicate ourselves to living as brothers and sisters, respectful of one another’s dignity and need for equity. May we also realize the importance of reverencing our earth which provides for and sustains much of our lives. We give glory and praise to our God and pray that we may always live in harmony as one family. AMEN. And, one more from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: God, source of all freedom, this day is bright with memory of those who declared that life and liberty are your gift to every human being. Help us to continue a good work begun long ago. Make our vision clear and our will strong: that only in human solidarity will we find liberty, and justice only in the honor that belongs to every life on earth. Turn our hearts toward the family of nations: to understand the ways of others, to offer friendship, and to find safety only in the common good of all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN. Prayer is powerful. May you know that your prayer is always heard by our Lord. May our prayers this Fourteenth Weekend of Ordinary Time, this holiday weekend, and all we offer each day of our lives, bless us and draw us closer and closer to our brother, Jesus Christ! Blessings to all, Father Rob

Dear Friends, Both of our parishes are very generous in reaching out to others who are not as blessed as ourselves. Countless collections and asks are before us year-round, reminding us of how much our God blesses us daily. Your response of generosity was evident again with the HELP UKRAINE appeal! The overwhelming generosity of sleeping bags, socks, underwear, diapers, wipes, walkers, crutches, canes and wheelchairs were a sight to see. Thank you to everyone who made a donation and delivered your offerings at Saint Catherine’s. When everything was boxed and gathered together, your donations went to a former Xerox warehouse in Webster. I was told it was so amazing to see how much had been gathered by various churches and other organizations. May we keep the people of Ukraine in our prayers for their returned peace and for peace for all our sisters in brothers throughout the world who are facing war, strife, and conflicts. I often mention, from the Nicene Creed, the four traditional marks (or essential characteristics) of the Christian being “One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.” Someone suggested I might share their meaning in my bulletin article. So I will. These four descriptors define the foundational identity and mission of the faith: ONE: The Church is unified as a single body under one head, Jesus Christ, reflecting the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. HOLY: The Church is consecrated by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and its members are called to live holy lives, set apart for God’s work. CATHOLIC: Originating from the Greek word katholikos, meaning “universal” or “according to the whole”. It signifies that the Church is meant for all people, in all places, at all times, without exception. APOSTOLIC: The Church is rooted in the foundational teaching of Jesus’s original apostles and is tasked with continuing their mission to proclaim the Gospel. May we all strive in praying the Nicene Creed our intent to live our Baptismal life before everyone. As I mentioned above, one powerful way is when we are generous in sharing our blessings with others, here in our own community and throughout the world. With faith and blessings, Father Rob